Lakewood, NJ Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Habitability guide
- NJ State Housing Code (1980 revision)
- Enforcing officer
- Dept. of Code Enforcement and Zoning head
- Unfit-dwelling factors
- Fire hazard, poor ventilation, disrepair
- Copy on file
- Township Clerk's office
Summary
Lakewood adopts the New Jersey State Housing Code as its habitability guide and lets the Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning declare a dwelling unfit for human habitation when conditions like fire hazards, poor ventilation or structural defects endanger occupants or neighbors.
For the purpose of this section the Department Head of the Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning or his designee may determine that a dwelling is unfit for human habitation if they find that conditions exist in such dwelling which are dangerous or injurious to the health or safety of the occupants of the dwelling, the occupants of neighboring dwellings or other residents of the Township. Conditions may include, without limiting the foregoing, defects increasing the hazards of fire, accident or other calamities; lack of adequate ventilation, light or sanitary facilities; dilapidation; disrepair; structural defects or uncleanliness.
Full Breakdown
1 accepts and adopts the New Jersey State Housing Code (1980 revision), as approved by the Department of Community Affairs and filed with the Secretary of State, as the standard used to determine whether a dwelling is fit for human habitation, occupancy or use; a copy is kept on file at the Township Clerk's office for public review. 2 designates the Department Head of the Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning, or a designee, as the officer who enforces that standard, serving without additional salary.
3: the Department Head may find a dwelling unfit for human habitation if conditions exist that are dangerous or injurious to the health or safety of the dwelling's occupants, neighboring occupants, or other Township residents. The code lists non-exhaustive examples: defects that increase the hazards of fire, accident or other calamities; lack of adequate ventilation, light or sanitary facilities; dilapidation; disrepair; structural defects; and uncleanliness. 5.
Violations & Fines
A dwelling found unfit for human habitation under § 13-1.3 is subject to the notice, hearing and repair-or-vacate order process in § 13-1.4, and general violations of the Township's housing regulations fall under the general penalty in Township of Lakewood Code § 1-5.1: up to $1,000, up to 90 days of detention, or up to 90 days of community service per offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What standard does Lakewood Township use to judge if a rental is habitable?
What conditions can make a Lakewood dwelling legally unfit?
Who enforces habitability standards in Lakewood Township?
Does Lakewood require a habitability check before a unit can be rented?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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Repairs & Habitability in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle repairs & habitability.